Encore! 2021

About
Venue - The Clerestory
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Artists
Sponsors
Auction

About the Event

Betsy Udal and Melanie Ellis, Encore! 2022 Co-Chairs

Encore! 2022 Committee

Renee Autorino     Charlotte Croog     Gene Evans     Kathy Frederick     Jenni Freidman     Joan Freidman
Bonnie Gauthier     Lois Krause     Barb Laurain     Gail Mangs     Cacina Reynolds     Julianne Roth
Rebecca Selig     Rachel Spitzig     Vin Sukhraj     Denise Tovlin     Ruth Van Winkle

For more information about the event, auction and sponsorshp opportunities, please contact:
Jane Lennox and Nancy Woodward, Co-Directors of Development
860-523-5900 Ext. 15
JLennox@PlayhouseTheatreGroup.org | NWoodward@PlayhouseTheatreGroup.org

Event Venue: The Clerestory Ballroom

The Clerestory Ballroom

642 Hilliard St, Manchester, Connecticut

The Clerestory is at the heart of the historic Hilliard Mills redevelopment complex, a nationally listed historical site in Manchester. Completely renovated and opened in March 2022, this gorgeous venue features a modern industrial style, soaring 26-foot high ceilings, a brand new state-of-art ventilation system, and wall-to-wall windows looking out onto the natural beauty of this unique property.

Hilliard Mills LLC was founded in 2006 to restore, renovate and preserve one of Connecticut’s finest architectural and historical treasures. The long and colorful history of one of the nation’s earliest industrial sites is a distinction that Hilliard Mills has retained. Restoration and renovation of the site is sympathetic to and accentuates the original architecture of the buildings, while offering modern, energy efficient amenities for today’s business and event needs. Historical displays are incorporated throughout the property, showcasing photographs and artifacts from different periods of the site.

www.historicevents.co

www.hilliardmills.com

The Clerestory is equipped with the new state-of-the art AirPure Control Systems HVAC system which was designed in 2020. This ducted system makes the indoors much more healthy. The key is to greatly reduce the viral load in the interior space, approaching what you would find outdoors. The system is designed to work on airborne pathogens including flu, coronavirus, rhinovirus, fungal, bacterial and more. www.airpurecontrolsystems.com

Event Menu

Artists & Performers

CO-HOSTED BY:

SANDRA MARANTE was most recently seen in the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular starring the Rockettes! Select Credits: IN THE HEIGHTS (Broadway at Music Circus, Westport Country Playhouse, Playhouse on Park), STONEWALL (New York City Opera, Lincoln Center), SUEÑOS (New York Theater Barn), OKLAHOMA!! (Gulf Coast Symphony), HATUEY (American premiere, Peak Performances),MAN OF LA MANCHA(Princeton Festival), MADAMA BUTTERFLY, MY FAIR LADY(Charlottesville Opera). TV: “BULL” (CBS), “Quiero Ser Estrella” (Univision) “Evil Lives Here” (Hulu). Graduate of New World School of the Arts (BM), Roosevelt University (MM) and UCONN (Artist Diploma).

VICTORIA MOONEY was born and raised on Hilton Head, SC! After Tori moved to CT in 2009, she performed at theaters across the state. Tori is a teaching artist at Hartford Stage Education and the Front of House manager at Playhouse on Park. During the holiday season Tori can be seen entertaining on the North Pole Express as Pixie Poinsettia. She also babysits and dog sits for wonderful families! Playhouse credits include GO DOG GO, A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD, PINKALICIOUS, THE THREE LITTLE PIGS, FRECKLEFACE STRAWBERRY, GOODNIGHT MOON. She is a performer in Mama D’s Outrageous Romp and a member of stop/time dance theater.

SPECIAL GUEST PERFORMANCES BY:

HILLARY EKWALL is an actor, musician, teacher and gymnastics coach from West Hartford, CT. She has performed professionally around the country in the Broadway National Tour of CABARET as Rosie and playing the cello and violin, HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS, RAMONA QUIMBY and CURIOUS GEORGE. She has performed in regional theatres across the country and has been involved in over 20 productions at Playhouse on Park, including favorites: Sister Amnesia in NUNSENSE, Schwarzy in SPELLING BEE, Sally in CHARLIE BROWN, dancing with STOP/TIME DANCE THEATRE, directing CURIOUS GOERGE and assistant choreographer on THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS and IN THE HEIGHTS. She is consistently impressed with the resiliency of the Playhouse and can’t wait to see what this small and mighty theatre continues to produce in the future!	BETHANY FITZGERALD is an actor, singer, and dancer. She is very excited and honored to perform for all of you. Some of her favorite roles she’s played - Playhouse on Park: CHICAGO (Roxie Hart) and PLAY IT AGAIN, SAM (All Multiple Women) Long Wharf Theatre: THE HAPPY PRINCE (The Child) Music Theatre of Connecticut: SYLVIA (Sylvia) Ivoryton Playhouse: SHOUT! THE MOD MUSICAL (Red Girl) HAIRSPRAY (Amber Von Tussle), ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST (Candy Starr). Co-starring in Seven Seconds on Netflix.
SIOBHAN FITZGERALD is a singer, actor and dancer who has enjoyed a variety of performing opportunities throughout CT! Most recently, Ms. Fitzgerald was seen at the Ivoryton Playhouse’s production of SHEAR MADNESS as Barbara Demarco. Some other recent credits include; Prelude To Performance’s production of DIE FLEDERMAUS through the Martina Arroyo Foundation in NYC having previously sung in their production of LA BOHEME, The China Now Music Festival Chorus under the baton of Jindong Cai at Carnegie Hall in NYC. Some favorite theatre and musical theater roles include Libby (I OUGHT TO BE IN PICTURES), Cosette (LES MISERABLES), Jane Eyre (JANE EYRE), Louise (GYPSY), Cinderella (CINDERELLA), Ariel Moore (FOOTLOOSE) and Meg March (LITTLE WOMEN).	ERIN LINDSEY KROM has performed regionally with Cape Playhouse, Geva Theatre, Tuacahn Amphitheater, Front Porch Theatricals, Everyman Theatre, The Pittsburgh Public, PCLO, PICT, Kinetic Theatre Company & Playhouse on Park, among others. Proud AEA member! Various film, tv & commercial credits. For more info, visit www.erinkrom.com
TRISHAWN PAUL has performed at Playhouse on Park as Eugene Williams in THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS; Understudy for Jack in INTO THE WOODS; The 224: Nick Piazza FAME JR, Simba THE LION KING; Kinsella: Ensemble WORKING. Trishawn is now attending Academy di Capelli and is on his path to graduate 2023. He aspires to more opportunities in the theater world while forwarding his secular education.	CHELSEA POLLARD is a 26 year-old professional singer from Connecticut. You may have seen her work as the lead singer of Massconnfusion from 2019 to now. She was also the lead in the Little Theater of Manchester’s Production of DREAMGIRLS as Effie Melody White back in 2019. Chelsea is very excited to be back on stage and sharing her gift.
SPENCER POND (he/they) is a pop artist based out of Queens. They aim to create dance pieces that are flamboyant and rhythmic, with community on the brain, and tongue in the cheek. Originally from West Hartford, CT, Spencer has had the astounding pleasure of working both as dancer and choreographer for Playhouse on Park since the age of 16. Long live POP!	VICTORIA SAMES originally of Annapolis, MD, joined Pigeonwing Dance in 2019 under the direction of Gabrielle Lamb and joined the American Jazz Company in 2017 under the direction of Spencer Pond. She graduated from the Hartt School in 2017 with a BFA focused in Dance Pedagogy. While at Hartt she performed in works by Jose Limon, Adam Barruch, Manuel Vignoulle, Gemma Bond and Norbert de la Cruz III. She is currently a New York City-based freelance dancer and also teaches at Ballet Tech. She has appeared several times on “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”, including as a Principal Dancer in Season 3, Episode 5 and has performed at the Minskoff Theatre for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

MUSIC DIRECTION BY:

MELANIE GUERIN is grateful to have been part of the Playhouse on Park family since 2008, when she served as music director for IN THE HEIGHTS. Other Playhouse productions include MURDER FOR TWO, PETER AND THE STARCATCHER, THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS and last summer’s INTO THE WOODS. Melanie holds a Bachelor of Music degree in clarinet performance and music education, as well as a Master of Music Education degree, both from The Hartt School. She currently teaches at the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts High School, where she is the winds and vocal music specialist. She was previously a faculty member in The Hartt School Theatre Division, serving as a vocal coach, music director, and accompanist. As a music director and pianist, Melanie has worked with community and professional theater companies throughout Connecticut and Massachusetts, including the Young People's Center for Creative Arts, Ivoryton Playhouse, and New Paradigm Theater. She has composed a number of works for vocal and instrumental ensembles, including several children's songs and two original musicals. www.melaniebguerin.com

MUSICIANS:

Melanie Guerin
Nick Cutroneo
Ryan Ford
Honoka Masuyama

Dancing til' midnight to the music of Latanya Farrell!

Latanya is an ordinary woman with an ordinary life who brings an extraordinary voice to the music scene during live performances and on her debut album “Feelin’ Alright”. Uplifting melodies and powerful vocals are the hallmark of her songs about life, love and happiness. Latanya Farrell has emerged as a band leader full of energy who is uniquely gifted at engaging audiences with her bright smile and impeccable style. Blending Latanya’s original music with popular cover tunes, she performs to packed houses throughout New England. Her presence is infectious, and the energy keeps flowing throughout the entire performance with music that ranges from soulful classics to urban contemporary to her inspiring originals.

Extraordinary Voice
Latanya's powerful performances are packed with people both far and near who come to hear her incredible vocals. Dubbed the “Queen of Summer Concerts” by the Hartford Courant in 2013, Latanya Farrell is a multitalented gifted singer, songwriter, and performer with genuine passion, energy, and a love for music and life.

Since winning Connecticut Star Search in 2003, Latanya has had leading musical roles which include performing “Songs in the Key of Life” at the Bushnell Theater as well as other large venues sharing the stage with amazing artists such as Wynton Marsalis and Air Supply.

Latanya has been featured on several albums including her longtime friend and world-renowned saxophonist Jimmy Greene’s Grammy Award nominated album, “A Beautiful Life”, which was dedicated to Jimmy and Nelba Márquez-Greene’s beautiful precious daughter, Ana Grace, who was tragically lost at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

Energetic Performer
Latanya's award-winning vocal talent and style have been influenced by Whitney Houston, Natalie Cole, Alicia Keys, Aretha Franklin, Mariah Carey, and Jill Scott. With performance roots in her family church and community events, her career took off shortly after she was named Champion of the 2003 Connecticut Star Search competition.